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Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: $169 - $229Please call Hotel Reservations at 800-333-4121. Refer to the Road Scholar group for a 20% to 30% discount off of their rack rate.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day One: Sunday, July 20 - Afternoon Arrival/Welcome

Afternoon: CHECK-IN: Please arrive at the hotel between 3:00-4:30pm. Check into your room at the front desk and then register with Road Scholar staff in the Main lobby. At this time you'll be given a welcome packet containing your name tag, up-to-date itinerary and other useful information.

Dinner: A delicious get acquainted buffet dinner is served at the hotel featuring three entree's, soup, salad, dessert and beverage.

Evening: ORIENTATION: After dinner we will have our Orientaion. This will provide you with information about the hotel, program itinerary, instructors, venues and on site staff.

Morning: FIELD TRIP: This morning we visit Kenyon Corn Meal for a presentation on Johnny Cakes and a program on grist mills in Rhode Island. Kenyon's Grist Mill is the oldest operating manufacturing business in Rhode Island. Their genuine stone ground cornmeal is most popular, especially stone ground white cornmeal (or johnny cake meal) to make johnny cakes. This traditional Rhode Island food dates back to the colonial time when Native American Indians introduced corn to the settlers. Kenyon's has always been available for milling farmer's grain into meal or flour, a tradition that the Drumm family has proudly upheld. We are currently working on a team effort producing local rye flour and bread with Schartner Farms in Exeter, Seven Stars Bakery in Providence, and Farm Fresh Rhode Island.
OR We visit Prescott Farms. Feel history come alive at this charming country setting where past meets present. Learn how the 1812 Windmill Works. Explore the kitchen and herb gardens managed by Master Gardeners from the University of Rhode Island.
IN MAY, JUNE, JULY we do our program at Kenyon Corn Meal and September and October we visit Prescott Farms for our program.

Lunch: Today we enjoy lunch overlooking the water where you will have a choice of a delicious fish and chips or grilled chicken sandwich served with a cup of Rhode Island Chowder.

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Afternoon Class and visit to the Newport Vineyards.
Newport Vineyards was originally planted in 1977 on a hill overlooking Rhode Island Sound with the goal of producing fine wines and as a way of preserving beautiful agricultural land from rapid development. Aquidneck Island is blessed with one of the most desirable farming areas in the country, if not the world. This extraordinary micro-climate is created by a combination of the warm waters of the Gulf Stream to the south and the moderating effects of Narragansett Bay. These conditions provide a long, cool growing season ideal for developing complex flavors in wine.
Since the original vineyard plantings in the 1970s, Newport Vineyards, under the ownership of John and Paul Nunes, has grown to 60 vineyard acres.
FIELD TRIP: Enjoy guided exploration of Ten Mile Drive with a local expert.
THIS PROGRAM DOES NOT OFFER A VISIT TO A MANSION.

Dinner: A three course dinner with a choice of entree's is served this evening at the Atlantic Beach Club Restaurant.

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Today we visit an The Green Meadows Organic Farm, owned by descendants of the Patton family for a presentation on organic farming and CSA farming.
Green Meadows Farm is a property with a long history as a private estate.
The main house has been dated in its central part to 1786. Successive owners added pieces to it over the years, hence its rambling character! Major and Mrs. George S. Patton Jr. bought the property in 1928. The Pattons lived here only occasionally until World War II, when Beatrice Patton took up residence, expecting to welcome her husband home from the war, to retirement. Unfortunately, an untimely vehicle accident caused General Patton's death in 1945, so he was never here in extended residence. Mrs Patton lived here until her death in the hunting field in 1953.
Upon his retirement after 34 years as a career Army officer, the next George Patton and his family moved here permanently in 1980. Major General Patton was determined to make something more of his property than "leisure land", so with the help of agricultural, environmental, and forestry experts -- and the advice of seasoned farmers -- he initiated Green Meadows Farm, originally as a blueberry operation. Naming his fields for brave soldiers who had lost their lives in service with him in Vietnam, he and his farm personnel have worked hard to maximize the potential of the land.

Lunch: Lunch is served at the Green Meadows Organic Farm. You will have the choice of different sandwiches.

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Afternoon Lobster Cruise w/speaker in Kennebunkport, Maine.
Hop aboard a real lobster pulling boat and learn about the industry as you watch the captain pull up the traps revealing the day's catch.

Dinner: Dinner at the Historic Colony Hotel. You will have the choice of different entree's served with salad and dessert while enjoying spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Evening: LECTURE: This evening, enjoy a discussion with a local food expert on Maine made foods.

Smoking policy: YesSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Four: Wednesday, July 23 - City of Portland, the Maine gourmet food store, W...

Breakfast: A limited breakfast buffet is included this morning at the hotel. Breakfast includes waffles, sausage, pastries, toast, cereal, yogurt, toast, juice and coffee.

Morning: FIELD TRIP: This morning we meet two local experts in the city of Portland. Our guide will take us on an exploration of this port city. Learn the history and its connection with the fishing industry. Our second presenter will speak more on the history of fishing and the Casco Bay.

Lunch: Lunch is served at a Portland restaurant and features a cup of NE Chowder and a traditional Maine Lobster Roll. A lobster roll is lobster salad (cold) served on a toasted hot dog bun.

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: After lunch we will visit a local Maine gourmet food store for a talk and tasting of a variety of Maine Foods.
FREE TIME: Following the presentation you will have free time to explore the Port City of Portland. Portland offers excellent cultural attractions, boat rides, train rides, fantastic shops and restaurants. Your group leader will help you plan the afternoon.

Room amenities: Bedrooms are large and elegant, individually decorated with period furniture and colonial wall-papers. All rooms have telephones, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning in season.

Facility amenities: A Queen Anne-style brick inn that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Inn has been here since 1786. The huge Victorian parlors on the main floor are accented with carved moldings and ornate pillars. There are two gilded floor-to-ceiling mirrors and a circular love seat, as well as comfortable seating for reading.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Breakfast: A limited breakfast buffet is included this morning at the hotel. Breakfast includes waffles, sausage, pastries, toast, cereal, yogurt, toast, juice and coffee.

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Visit the Flag Hill Winery and Distillery for program and tasting.
Established in 1990, Flag Hill has grown from a family operated business to the largest vineyard in NH with an established winery producing distinguished wines from our own vineyard. Embarking on a new venture, owner Frank Reinhold secured Flag Hill as the first distillery in NH in 2004, producing high quality distilled spirits such as General John Stark Vodka and Josiah Bartlett Barrel Aged Apple Brandy.

Lunch: We travel to the Long Trail Brewery, Vermont's oldest micro brewery where we enjoy lunch an their pub. Lunch includes a cheddar ale soup and sandwich and a choice of beer.

Afternoon: LECTURE: Meet with local goat farmer who will talk about and demonstrate goat milk products. Enjoy samples of cheese, yogurt, and milk.

Dinner: A delicious three course dinner is included this evening with a choice of entree's. Dinner is served in the Main Dining Room.

Evening: EVENING ENTERTAINMENT: This evening we enjoy a game of Bingo for New England products. You will have the chance to win one of many fine New England food products.

Room amenities: Bedrooms are large and elegant, individually decorated with period furniture and colonial wall-papers. All rooms have telephones, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning in season.

Facility amenities: A Queen Anne-style brick inn that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Inn has been here since 1786. The huge Victorian parlors on the main floor are accented with carved moldings and ornate pillars. There are two gilded floor-to-ceiling mirrors and a circular love seat, as well as comfortable seating for reading.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Breakfast: Breakfast is served at the inn. Enjoy a buffet breakfast including hot entree's, pastries, bagels, yogurt, homemade granola, juice and coffee.

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Program at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill with guided tour of process. In 1974, Eric and Francine Chittenden, descendants of Vermont’s first governor, were starting out as farmers near the base of the Cold Hollow Mountains in rural northwest Vermont. They started making apple cider for friends, with a press that Eric picked up somewhere. (Eric was always finding cool old stuff.) Before long, the couple saw real business potential in making cider the true, traditional way. Eric and Francine created a vision. They would make enough cider to distribute to supermarkets, and become a real Vermont tourist attraction. Searching for the perfect location, they settled on Route 100 in central Vermont, between Waterbury (with its Interstate 89 exit) and Stowe (with lots of skiers and tourists). In 1976, they bought the old Gibbs farm in Waterbury Center. After decades of additions, the old place sure doesn’t look the same! Added has been a Jelly Room, large production facility, two cold-storage rooms — for apples and finished product — and a large bottling facility. But the original barn still houses our cider press and our store, where we make our cider donuts and feature specialty foods, baked goods, cheese, honey, maple syrup, hot beverages, and lots more Vermont goodness. The Chittenden's lived in the house, raising their three kids there, right up till they sold the business in 2000 to Paul Brown and his wife Gayle.

Lunch: Lunch today is served at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill with a choice of sandwiches or a salad, cider doughnuts, and fresh apple cider.

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP:
Following lunch we travel to Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory. Here we will enjoy a guided exploration of the factory ending with a delicious sampling of their ice cream. Our final stop today is at the Morse Sugar Farm w/traditional sugar-on-snow. The Morse ancestors who helped settle Central Vermont were taught how to tap maple trees by Native Americans. Hot Rocks were used to evaporate the sweet sap until only sugar or "sinzibukwud" remained. Pioneers could boil a year's supply of sugar thus making Americans self-sufficient in sugar production. Ben Franklin promoted massive sugar production in the Northeast to make the country less dependant on "foreign" sugar.

Dinner: A fabulous farewell dinner is served in the Main Dining Room. You will have the choice of entrees served with salad and dessert.

Evening: PERFORMANCE: This evening we enjoy light entertainment in the living room of the inn.

Breakfast: Breakfast is served at the inn. Enjoy a buffet breakfast including hot entree's, pastries, bagels, yogurt, homemade granola, juice and coffee.

Morning: EXCURSION: Visit the Vermont Country Store in Rockingham where you will enjoy samples of many of Vermont's fine foods.
Continue on to RI for drop off at the TF Green Airport in Providence and independent departures from Newport hotel.

Lunch: A picnic lunch prepared by the Brandon Inn will be served along our journey to Rhode Island.

Afternoon: We will drop off at the TF Green Airport in Providence at around 1:30 PM and then at the Holiday Inn Express at 2:30 PM for departures. Please do not make plane reservations before 3:00 PM.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Time Opportunities

Middletown/Newport, RI

Discover New EnglandAn excellent web site for everything in New England with links to tourism information for each state.For additional information, visit: www.discovernewengland.org

Brandon, VT

Discover New EnglandAn excellent web site for everything in New England with links to tourism information for each state.For additional information, visit: www.discovernewengland.org

Ogunquit, ME

Discover New EnglandAn excellent web site for everything in New England with links to tourism information for each state.For additional information, visit: www.discovernewengland.org

Important information about your itinerary: Please know that while we do everything we can to finalize all aspects of our programs well in advance, there are logistics that occasionally must be altered. Our website will reflect the most recent information, and we are committed to providing you with final program details no later than eight weeks prior to the start of programs outside the U.S. and three weeks prior to the start of programs within the U.S. If you ever have questions about your program, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

Need Help?

The latest in light, portable, easy-to-use QUIETVOX listening devices are available on Road Scholar programs.* Whether you are outdoors, in a crowd or in a museum environment where speaking loudly is discouraged, a listening device makes it feel like our experts are speaking clearly and directly to you. Hear for yourself on a Road Scholar adventure!

*Please note that due to the nature of some programs, the remote location or government regulations, listening devices may not be available. If you’d like to know for sure if your program will offer listening devices, just call and ask an Advisor!